Prenup Cost Calculator

Estimate how much a prenuptial agreement will cost based on your situation.

Your Situation

Combined Assets ($)

Complexity

Estimated Total Cost

$7,850 — $14,650

Average: $11,250

Attorney 1 (Draft)

$4,500–$8,500

Attorney 2 (Review)

$3,150–$5,950

Mediator

Filing/Notary

$200

Cost Factors

Real Estate

Property appraisal + deed provisions

+$1,000

Retirement Accounts

QDRO provisions, division rules

+$500

Assets a Prenup Can Protect

✓Pre-marital savings and investments
✓Real estate owned before marriage
✓Retirement accounts (pre-marital portion)
✓Inherited assets and family gifts
✓Intellectual property and royalties

Important Considerations

Both parties MUST have separate attorneys for the prenup to be enforceable. Courts routinely invalidate prenups where one party lacked independent counsel.
Sign the prenup at least 30 days before the wedding. Courts may invalidate agreements signed under "duress" — i.e., days before the ceremony with no time to review.

Estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by state, attorney rates, and case specifics. This is not legal advice.

How Much Does a Prenup Cost?

The average prenuptial agreement costs $2,500–$10,000 total for both parties. A simple prenup for a couple with straightforward finances runs $1,500–$4,000. Complex prenups involving business interests, high-net-worth estates, or multiple properties can cost $10,000–$25,000+. The biggest cost driver is attorney time — most family law attorneys charge $250–$500/hour.

Both parties need independent legal counsel. A prenup where only one side had a lawyer is a prenup waiting to be thrown out in court. Budget for two attorneys, not one.

Prenup Cost by State (Attorney Hourly Rates)

Region	Attorney Rate	Simple Prenup	Complex Prenup
New York City / SF	$400–$700/hr	$5,000–$10,000	$15,000–$30,000
LA / Chicago / DC	$300–$500/hr	$4,000–$8,000	$10,000–$20,000
Major Metro Areas	$250–$400/hr	$3,000–$6,000	$8,000–$15,000
Mid-Size Cities	$200–$350/hr	$2,000–$5,000	$6,000–$12,000
Rural / Small Towns	$150–$250/hr	$1,500–$3,500	$4,000–$8,000

Community Property vs Equitable Distribution States

Type	States	Default Split	Prenup Impact
Community Property	AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI	50/50	High value — overrides automatic 50/50
Equitable Distribution	All other 41 states	"Fair" (judge decides)	Still valuable — provides certainty

In community property states, everything earned or acquired during marriage is automatically split 50/50 in divorce — regardless of who earned it. A prenup is especially valuable here because it lets you designate what stays separate property.

What a Prenup Cannot Do

Prenups cannot determine child custody or child support (courts always decide based on the child's best interest), include provisions that encourage divorce, or waive rights to basic financial disclosures. Any provisions found "unconscionable" — extremely one-sided — can invalidate the entire agreement. Courts also require full financial disclosure from both parties at the time of signing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an online prenup template instead?

Online templates ($200–$500) exist but carry significant risk. Each state has different requirements for enforceability — notarization, witness signatures, disclosure requirements, timing before the wedding. A template that's valid in Texas may be unenforceable in California. If your combined assets exceed $100,000 or you own a business, the cost of a proper attorney-drafted prenup is trivial compared to what you're protecting.

How far before the wedding should we start?

Start the process at least 3–6 months before the wedding. The drafting attorney needs 2–4 weeks to prepare the initial document, then each side needs time to review and negotiate. Courts have invalidated prenups signed just days before the ceremony because one party was under "duress" — the pressure of canceling a wedding on short notice. A 30-day minimum between signing and the wedding is a safe benchmark.